Chapter 18 The Teasing Yandere Boy 18

Chapter 18: The Teasing Yandere Boy 18

"Today Jiang Ran's parents called, and he's leaving tomorrow."

The last entry was clearly written today.

Jiang Ran looked at the notebook filled with his name, the warmth surging in his heart gradually flooding his chest. He had never met anyone who filled a notebook with his name, chronicling his every joy and sorrow.

He turned to look at the young master chewing on the quilt in his sleep, and slowly curled his lips into a smile.

Their relationship was indeed one that couldn't see the light of day, but from now on, he wouldn't let such trivialities bother him.

Now Jiang Ran was almost certain that the reconnection with the Jian family was entirely the young master's doing.

But as for why he did it, Jiang Ran wasn't interested, nor did he care to find out.

What he was sure of was that the young master would never hurt him.

Jiang Ran put away his notebook, turned over, and gently pulled him into his arms.

The boy's lashes still had tears glistening on them, and sensing Jiang Ran's movement, he muttered grumpily.

"Mmm... be gentle."

Jiang Ran: "..."

Was he being bullied even in his sleep?

He drew the young master closer and gently stroked his soft hair.

"Alright, I'll be gentler with you from now on."

With that, Jiang Ran pressed a kiss to his forehead before closing his eyes.

---

Early the following morning

Qiao Ling ripped up the contract in front of Jiang Ran.

"Our relationship ends as of today! You're already the young master of the Jian family now, no need to endure humiliation for my money. Of course, I won't breathe a word about this."

The young master still spoke with the air of a benefactor, but Jiang Ran didn't mind at all and readily accepted it.

"Okay."

"Then from today on, we're done." Qiao Ling narrowed his eyes and curled his lips. He was actually quite happy that he no longer had to bully Jiang Ran as a matter of routine.

The thought that Jiang Ran no longer had to work three jobs or run around for money made him even happier.

"Fine." Jiang Ran said.

Qiao Ling looked at Jiang Ran, feeling like he was acting a bit strange today.

He agreed to everything so readily that it didn't even seem like him.

He tested the waters with something even more outrageous: "Then from tomorrow, whoever I pick as my new partner is none of your business either."

The young man before him remained unfazed, and Qiao Ling didn't notice the cold, sharp glint hidden beneath those dark lashes.

"Okay." But only if someone dares to take that role.

Or unless his partner is a cat with nine lives.

---

At noon, both the Qiao and Jian families arrived.

Qiao Huai had only told the Qiao family that Qiao Ling had recently made a good friend, never expecting that this friend was actually the Jian family's true young master.

The Qiao family was pleasantly shocked. They knew Qiao Ling's temper and were afraid he might slight the young master, so they came over specially today to check on things.

The Jian couple, however, was extremely grateful to the young man.

"Xiao Ling, thank you for looking after Jiang Ran during this time. Since you and Jiang Ran are good friends, you should stay in touch with him often!"

Qiao Ling gave a faint smile: "It was nothing, don't worry about it."

Before the Jian family left, they made a point of giving the Qiao family an invitation.

"In a few days it's my birthday. I hope you can all come and celebrate with us. At that time, I'll introduce Xiao Ran to everyone."

The Qiao family offered their congratulations and watched the Jian family of three leave.

The house had originally been home to just two people, but with Jiang Ran suddenly gone, Qiao Ling felt the place had lost all its warmth.

Jiang Ran really knew how to take care of people, which made him a bit reluctant to let him go now.

"Ah..."

The system said: "Host, don't sigh. We're already most of the way through the mission!"

Qiao Ling listlessly said "Oh," then flopped onto the bed, completely drained.

---

When Jiang Ran returned home, the Jian couple told him: "The last room on the second floor is where he used to live. If you don't like it, you can pick another one.

He didn't stay home much anyway. Take a look around and let us know if you need anything else."

Jiang Ran gave a faint nod, looking at his biological parents, who were clearly a bit nervous, and said: "You don't need to be so tense. We can... try to get along like a normal family."

The Jian couple knew that although Jiang Ran seemed cold, he'd been sensible since he was a child. Hearing him say this, both parents felt relieved.

Qin Qing said with a smile: "If there's anything you're not used to at home in the future, just tell Mom. Give Mom a chance to make it up to you."

Jiang Ran nodded.

The Jian couple had agreed with Jiang Ran that although their household registrations were merged, they wouldn't force him to change his surname.

Jiang Ran's surname came from the former orphanage director. They only wanted to find him, without any deep-seated need to restore the family name.

As long as Jiang Ran was happy, they'd go along with whatever he wanted.

Jiang Ran borrowed a car from Jian Han and drove somewhere with him...

They went to the former orphanage.

Qiao Ling had long since found out that the orphanage they'd been in had been shut down because someone had sabotaged it.

Who would do such a thing—harming others without any benefit to themselves—was obvious.

He got his hands on evidence of this and handed it straight to the police.

Since Jian Qingming had no hope of getting out anyway, might as well make him rot in prison, working the sewing machine until it smokes.

Jian Han had only been worried about Jiang Ran going out alone, but when he saw what Jiang Ran had done, he was totally shocked.

Within two years of Jian Qingming coming back home, all they did was argue whenever they met.

Back then, the family said Jian Qingming was just being a rebellious teenager, and Jian Han had intentionally kept his distance from him, but as time went on, they had less and less to say to each other.

He never expected Jian Qingming to have done something so shady behind everyone's backs.

When Jian Qingming saw Jiang Ran again, he could already tell what was going on outside.

He just sneered and asked, "You came here today—don't tell me it's to show off to me?"

Jiang Ran's voice was calm: "I just wanted to see what you look like now."

His hair was buzzed into a crew cut, and he was unshaven and unkempt.

Nice, but not satisfying enough.

Jian Qingming pretended to sound relaxed: "I just regret not being ruthless enough back then—I should've just gotten rid of you. Besides, do you really think you've won? When I was the young master of the Jian family, weren't you still working three jobs just to get by?

And, do you know Qiao Ling? Do you think Qiao Ling actually likes you? He just treats you like a toy.

He's been obsessed with me since he was a kid, always loved following me around. We already hooked up after he turned eighteen—he never told you, did he?"

The more Jian Qingming talked, the more unhinged and manic his smile got. But how could Jiang Ran possibly believe such nonsense?

"You've said all that just because you don't want to admit you're the loser.

Jian Qingming, after everything you've done, I still ended up going home. Qiao Ling has already forgotten you even exist. No one cares where the person who once played the young master of the Jian family is now, or what's become of him.

Even if someone does remember you, it's probably just with a sigh, right?

Someone who was once so glorious, but now—"